7 Ingenious Ways You Can Do With Career Coaching For Students

The ample number of career options that are available today have created chaos in the minds of students. They are now aware of the different opportunities and are willing to take risks instead of going for traditional options. However, even if they are clear with the motive to do something different in their lives, they find themselves stuck right at the start. This happens because even if the goal is fixed, they have no idea where to begin. At this point, it is advised that the students seek help from a career coach. They not only help you identify your strengths but also assist you to take a proper decision.

A career coach is a trained professional who helps an individual make a right career choice. They make use of innovative techniques that aid their clients in making the correct decision.  Some methods used are -

Does a SWOT Analysis

The foremost step you must take as a career coach is persuading your client to do an SWOT Analysis test. It is useful in recognizing the individual's strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. It can be used to map transferable strengths with the skills required for a particular career. Moreover, as the weak points are identified, the client can focus on improving in those areas with the help of training.

Makes use of The Rocking Chair Technique 

In this, the mentor helps clients to conjure up a picture of how they want their lives to be with the help of imagination. It is a simple writing exercise where clients have to imagine themselves as a ninety-year-old person and backtrack on their lives as to what they have achieved in all these years. It delves deeper with points such as what gratify them and what were the moments or accomplishments in their careers that they are truly proud of.

Performs a Psychometric Test

Psychometric Tests can be used as a platform to identify an individual's mental abilities and his/her overall behavioral personality. They convey characteristics and cognitive abilities of a person which can be then used to decide a specific career. These tests help to highlight the skills and interests of individuals and even find their inclination towards a particular profession.

Applies Guided Meditation

Deciding on a career is important as your entire life is going to be dependent on it. Therefore, one must be very conscious and calm while choosing it. Guided meditation is an effective tool which the coach can use to relax students and tell them to imagine where they want to be in the future. This can be done by giving instructions at regular intervals or with the help of  soothing music. It will not only remove the cluttered thoughts but also help them visualize their goals. Further, it will aid in getting answers to future questions.

Integrates career with mental health

Once the areas have been identified, the coach then must motivate students to do a complete research on the listed options. It will help them to understand the job role, responsibilities and even identify the stress levels involved in it. This can be used by students to analyze whether they will be able to deal with stressed work environments and give efficient output.

Helps to identify work values 

Figuring out what type of work values an individual wants to form an essential part of career coaching. For example, you may be spontaneous at your home but maintaining the same attitude at work might not be a good idea. Hence, prior to making a career choice, a career coach can  help you understand what work values are important to you based on your personality and how they might play a key role in shaping your career.

Encourages the client to go for new things 

A career adviser must motivate students to try new things. This can be done by encouraging them to take up fresh activities, telling them to enroll in various courses or convincing them to take up their favorite hobby again. Interactions with new people can alter their thought process and stimulate them to explore all options rather than sticking to just one.

Instead of judging a career merely on factors like growth, and future opportunities, taking help from a career coach to remove doubts concerning a particular career is a good idea for  students. These mentors along with their unique techniques are bound to clear their uncertainties and also guide them to achieve thriving success in their lives.

7 Steps That Guides How To Choose A Career

Opting for a particular career is a big decision as it is going to be an important part of your life. You will be spending maximum time in the office hours during week days, and hence it is necessary that you opt for a profession which you are truly passionate about and won't mind working in it for long. Choosing it  without considering its pros and cons can affect the routine of an individual and also have a negative impact on his/her life.

When you are ready to step in the professional world, it will take no time for you to realize the multitude of alternatives that are available today. It may also happen that you have no idea of who you want to be in your life and where you see yourselves a few years down the line. At this point, it is necessary that you follow certain steps that will help you find which career suits you the best. These steps are:

Self assessment is the key 

Before making a hasty decision, you should do a self-evaluation of your traits, skills and personality to identify where exactly your interests lies. You could make use of tools like aptitude tests, career tests or even consult mentors to find out which occupations  are the best fits for your personality.

Jot down the prospective occupations

Once you are done with your analysis, you will have a complete list of careers that can be pursued matching with your skill set. The list will help you move in the right direction. Further, you can also use it in case the thought of changing the job touches your mind.

Do a research 

Only preparing the list is not enough. The next step is to study each option properly and collect basic information about the noted careers. You should understand the required educational qualifications, tasks involved in the job, annual income and growth opportunities in that career. Try to acquire this information using the Internet or by contacting to professionals who work in that particular field.

Make your final list 

After a thorough analysis of the listed options, you will be crossing off most of the enlisted choices. You may find yourself striking the job fields that you do not find appealing or those careers where you do not satisfy requirements.

Go for an informational interview

After removing improper options, you will be having very few occupations present on your short list. Prior to making the final decision, a little more homework needs to be done. An excellent method to achieve this is by fixing informational interviews with a person who has excelled in that particular profession and have profound knowledge about the profession.  Apart from meeting the concerned people, you can also grow your network and reach out to groups related to your chosen field.

Prepare your career action plan 

Now that you have fixed the field, you should also decide short-term and long-term goals. Once you have formed  your goals, you need to write down the career action plan diligently. It should convey a road map to your  dreams and the steps you will take to achieve it by overcoming barriers and effectively using available resources.

Get the required training

To excel in any career, you should learn the skills associated with it. You might have to take a formal education in the respective field or polish your capabilities by doing short internships, vocational training or registering yourself for peculiar courses.

Selecting a career is a crucial phase in your life. Making the right decision can help you grow by leaps and bounds in your profession. Even if you have a gist of it and are searching for a concrete plan to materialize as your dreams, just follow the above steps and walk with pride in your road to success.